Page 74 of The Last Goodbye

Phoenix

It’s one of life’s biggest mysteries.

Well, thanks for nothing. You were no help at all. I just wanted you to know where I was tonight. I didn’t need anyone making it something it’s not. I’m done with the conversation.

Cutler

Love you, brother. Don’t overthink it.

Brody

Just relax. Have a good time.

Phoenix

Whatever it is, will be.

Cannon

That makes no sense Nix.

Cannon

Cook the wieners. It’ll be a good icebreaker.

I laughed and set my phone down. Why did I think texting them would be a good idea?

This wasn’t a date, and I wasn’t nervous.

Making her dinner was the least I could do. It’s not like I could pay her back with airline or hotel points.

Dinner. Dinner makes sense.

We’d both agreed it was just two friends having dinner. Nothing more.

I needed to fucking relax.

“Hello?” her voice called out, and I tossed some veggies in a bowl and made my way up the stairs to the deck.

I chuckled when I saw her waiting, as if she weren’t allowed to step on the boat until I’d invited her over.

I reached for her hand to help her step aboard, trying not to gape at the white sundress she was wearing that dipped low in the front. She turned, and I noted that the dress dipped even lower in the back, and I quickly moved my gaze to the bottle of wine she held in her other hand.

“You look gorgeous,” I said, surprising myself as the words left my mouth, and I didn’t miss the blush that colored her cheeks.

Did that just make it sound like a date?

“Thank you. And thank you for having me.” She handed me the wine bottle. “No pressure at all trying to pick a bottle of wine for a professional chef who owns his own restaurant.”

I snorted. “I’m not a wine snob by any stretch. I typically lean toward beer anyway. Whatever you chose is great.”

I guided her to sit on the couch, where I had crackers and Brie set out on the table, and I walked over and fired up the grill to give it time to heat up. I stepped to the bar area and poured us each a glass of wine.

My God. This definitely feels like a date.

I should have had her meet me at the restaurant.

I sat down beside her, closer than necessary, angling my body toward her, then set our glasses down on the table. The sun was just going down, and the waves were splashing beneath the boat, causing it to rock the slightest bit.